Word
Kana: つうよう Romaji: tsuuyou Level: N2

通用

Meaning in English

popular use, circulation

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Dictionary

Word context

What it means

通用 means that a term, rule, or practice is broadly used and accepted across different people or contexts. It describes something that works, applies, or is respected widely, not limited to a particular group or situation.

Main meanings

  • General use and broad applicability — tsūyō
  • Generally accepted or understood in ordinary discourse — tsūyō
  • Widely recognized in official or technical contexts — tsūyō

How to use it

Used in formal, neutral, and written contexts to indicate broad applicability or acceptance; commonly appears in dictionaries, policy texts, academic writing, and media commentary. Phrases include 現在通用している, 一般に通用する, この用語は通用する。

Variants and close terms

  • 普及する — fukyū suru — to become widely used
  • 一般に受け入れられる — ippan ni ukeire rareru — to be generally accepted
  • 通用しない — tsūyō shinai — not in use / not accepted

Composition

  • 通 - through; to pass; common usage
  • 用 - use, purpose, function

Etymology

tsūyō is the on'yomi reading of 通用, borrowed from Chinese tongyòng; its phonetic path follows standard on'yomi adaptation rules, pairing the characters with their common readings to form a typical compound pronunciation.

Word class

Noun (suru-verb)

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